In fact, Crowdfunding can be so risky to both the donor and the recipient(donee), that the California Office of the Attorney General has included the following warning in their publication, GUIDE FOR CROWDFUNDING SITES, CHARITIES, AND DONORS:

DONORS Do your research. Do not assume that the crowdfunding site vetted the organization. You should research the charity independently of the site. You can always contact the charity outside of the site. If there is anything odd about the page (misspellings, bad grammar, broken links) this may be evidence that this could be a scam. If the page is for an individual claiming to be raising money for a charity, ensure that they have received permission to do so from the charity. If privacy is important to you, ask if the site will sell your contact information. Consider using a dedicated email address so that you can easily screen solicitations.

2. Crowdfunding Encourages Higher Funeral Expenses

When faced with the death of a loved one, crowdfunding a funeral is often a family’s last hope of providing proper arrangements.

However, the rapid rise of funeral costs has made services incredibly expensive.

Funeral expenses across the United States have increased rapidly.

Although crowdfunding isn’t to blame entirely for this, the spike will likely continue.

Especially when crowdfunding platforms cater to the bereaved.

Anytime funds are possibly available to cover a certain cost, the price naturally increases.

Although it seems wrong, it’s no different for funeral funding.

3. Crowdfunding Can Add Pressure to Remaining Family

After the death of a loved one, life for the remaining family can get harried and stressful.

From making final arrangements to comforting others to sorting through the deceased’s belongings, there’s a lot to do.

Granted, traditional methods of covering final expenses also require action—accessing account or policy numbers, speaking with representatives, and verifying information.

Yet, there is no rallying of the troops, per se.

To raise money through a crowdfunding campaign, however, can be a very meticulous process.

It’s more than simply posting a picture of your loved one and expecting dollar bills to fall into your bank account.

A successful campaign requires a great deal of attention and strategic effort.

Which, are two things most bereaving families fall short of.

And, rightly so.

The grieving process takes a huge physical and emotional toll on families.

Add the burden of a DIY fundraising campaign, and that could spell a roller-coaster recovery for the remaining family.

What To Do Instead Of Crowdfunding A Funeral

To secure your family’s financial future, it’s important to opt for funeral funding with a guarantee.

Keep in mind, there are numerous ways to cover final expenses including annuities, savings, and life insurance.

Yet, one way is more affordable and secure than most of the others—term life insurance.

Also known as “pure life insurance,” the main function of term life insurance is the death benefit.

Term life insurance contains no bells and whistles.

Term life insurance policies have no investment components.

It is simply “pure insurance.”

Rather than gambling on a crowdfunding campaign, you purchase a 10-, 20-, or 30-year life insurance policy that covers you for the elected term.

Hence the name “term insurance.”

And term insurance policies are dirt cheap.

A healthy 35 year-old man who doesn’t use tobacco or vape can get a $250,000 policy for less than $20 per month.

Why would you force your family into a DIY crowd-sourced funeral if you could give up Starbucks or Blue Bottle Coffee a couple of times a month?